Political Threats Ignite Concerns Over Hate Speech in Montenegro

The recent threats directed at Montenegrin parliamentarian Slađana Kaluđerović have sparked serious concerns regarding hate speech and political intimidation in the country. The Human Rights Protector of Montenegro issued a strong warning, stating that using symbols associated with ethnic cleansing and collective suffering to intimidate individuals due to their political beliefs constitutes an unacceptable form of hate speech, infringing on freedom of expression.

In a public statement, the Ombudsman highlighted that the symbolism of “tractors” is deeply rooted in the collective memory of Montenegro as a sign of persecution and forced displacement. Such imagery, when invoked in political discourse, amounts to an abuse of free speech and represents an ethnically motivated form of hate speech.

“Threats of intimidation, expulsion, or evocation of collective trauma are unacceptable manifestations of political pressure that undermine social cohesion and fundamental human rights,” the Ombudsman stated. The threats against Kaluđerović are not isolated incidents but part of a broader pattern of gender-based political violence. Women involved in public and political life are disproportionately subjected to insults, threats, and attempts at intimidation.

The Ombudsman also pointed out that similar threats were recently made against Ivana Vuković, another member of the ruling Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS), indicating a troubling continuity in the use of unacceptable rhetoric in public discourse.

Kaluđerović has filed a criminal complaint against an individual identified as D. M., through her attorney Dalibor Kavaric, for allegedly inciting hatred and violence against individuals based on their language, nationality, and religious affiliation.

The complaint notes that after Kaluđerović’s appearance on the program “Reflektor” on February 3, 2024, D. M. posted derogatory messages on social media, insulting her personally and labeling those advocating dialogue on the status of the Serbian language as “the occupying side.” He further stated, “If you do not calm down, tractors are the only solution.”

Such statements represent a direct call for persecution and intimidation, evoking collective traumas associated with war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and mass displacement.

The complainants urge the authorities to interrogate the suspect, review his social media accounts, enlist IT experts, and take legal action to prevent further spread of hate and intimidation in the public sphere. The situation underscores a pressing need for vigilance against hate speech and political violence in Montenegro, particularly as it pertains to women in politics.

The Ombudsman’s intervention serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of safeguarding freedom of expression while simultaneously combating hate speech and political intimidation.